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Japanophilia

(Starbucks Green Tea Latte and Green Tea Liqueur)


Published: April 30, 2007 Modified: Feb. 11, 2025

This image clearly shows the appropriation of Japanese culture into American society (notice how they slapped the word ‘ZEN’ onto the bottle). The iced latte and liqueur are initially purely western-style drinks however it is taken to another level as it is influenced with the flavors of Japanese green tea, and are transformed into a hybrid-like drink of tea/coffee and tea/liqueur. These new hybrid drinks of east and west represent the concept of hybridity and interstitiality of Japanese immigrants, especially the second generation immigrants, because they are either rejected by both hegemonies, Japan and the United States, not belonging any of them, or they are associated with both hegemonies. It is the same case with the beverages; they remain in an interstitial state because they are not identified as solely Japanese or American, however, are associated to both cultures.


This work is licensed under a Public Domain


2000s Japanophilia

Part of this album

Japanophilia
This collection brings together student work from a seminar held at Occidental College, titled "Japanophilia: Orientalism, Nationalism, Transnationalism." The class examined the relationship between collecting/appropriating Japanese cultur…
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